A hopeful Claire Underwood faces down a mostly male, and mostly white, Senate Committee, but tough luck on that one—Republicans couldn't be any more displeased and Claire can barely keep her composure.

When the Underwoods' political nemesis, Hector Mendoza, swipes at Claire for calling American troops "irrelevant," a tense back-and-forth ensues that seems to jeopardize her future in politics. "I have the utmost respect and appreciation for our troops, sir." To which Hector responds, "Not with statements like that, you don't."

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Things aren't much better at the White House, where Democratic leaders from Congress are scheduled to meet with the president. As he watches a videotape of Claire's conference in the Oval Office, he hopes to discuss his domestic agenda.

"We need to redefine our party," Frank tells them. And they couldn't agree more, one tells him, which is exactly why they don't want him on the ticket in the next election. The look on Frank's face is almost enough to make you feel sorry for him—until you remember he's a murderous tyrant.

Still, it is fascinating to watch the Underwoods in action. Neither is the type to give up what they want, and the episode kicks into high gear when they decide that they're not backing down. Over the phone, Claire does her best imitation of a virtuous first lady, nudging senators for support, while Frank, as always, tells off whomever stands in his way, or in this case, refuses to donate funds for his 2016 campaign.

After an evening of work, Claire decides to run on the National Mall "to clear her head," she tells boy toy-slash-security guard Meecham, who is back for another season. She returns to find Frank slumped on the floor sobbing. In a rare show of decency, she touches him. Then out of nowhere she mounts him. Then they have sex. Frank stops crying.

If the last episode established Doug as a central character, this episode reaffirms the trouble that is Jackie Sharpe. True to form, Frank's former deputy wants to cash in on those votes she whipped for President Walker's impeachment last season. And as usual, the price is high. After all, she tells Remy, she was in the Oval Office when the Democratic leadership told Frank he was out. Because drama is her life force, she tells reporter Ayla Sayyad the meeting lasted five minutes, refusing to say any more.

The next day Claire seems like herself again, picking out official eggs for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll while listening to real-time reports of her nominee ballots. As Claire plucks an onyx egg from the box, her aide delivers the news. "52 to 48," she says, pausing for dramatic effect. "Against."

"Have you ever tried to balance an egg?" Frank asks. "You can't change the law of physics, can you?" And so Frank decides he will not run for re-election—well, at least not on paper, or in the revolting speech he'll go on to deliver a few moments later, which would never get him re-elected in real life. Ever.

"You are entitled to nothing," he says of his plans to cut social security and Medicare. Cue Doug taking another squirt of Old Darby from his syringe after a visit from Seth at Frank's request.

Back at the manse, Claire wonders whether this is as far as the Underwoods will ever get. "What if this is all over in 18 months?" she frets. Frank stops singing "Hobo's Lullaby" to consider this. "Okay, I'll do it," he says, agreeing to make Claire ambassador using a recess appointment. She forces a smile.

You'd think she'd be happy, right? Of course not. As soon as Frank leaves the kitchen, she retches into the sink. Then suddenly realizes she's hungry. She cracks some eggs in a frying pan and the camera zooms in.